Penn State Fraternity Suspended for at Least 4 Years Following Hazing Investigation

State College - Phi Kappa Sigma Hope-Urbanovsky-Stock-Images-3

Phi Kappa Sigma house in State College. Photo by Hope Urbanovsky | Onward State

By

Geoff Rushton

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October 26, 2023 – 4:11 pm

A Penn State fraternity has been suspended for at least four years for what the university termed “widespread and pervasive hazing behavior.”

The Psi Chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma, known as “Skulls,” will not be able to request reinstatement as a university-recognized fraternity until fall 2028 at the earliest, according to a news release issued on Wednesday.

Penn State’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response issued an interim suspension on Sept. 27 and on Oct. 10 found the fraternity in violation of the university’s anti-hazing policy. The chapter’s appeal was denied and a formal suspension was handed down on Tuesday.

Phi Kappa Sigma, which has a fraternity house on East Beaver Avenue in State College, previously was found in violation for hazing in 2018. It was placed on probation at the time.

“The recent investigation determined that hazing persisted and attempts to address on-going concerns were unsuccessful,” according to the release.

Specific allegations against the fraternity were not made public. Penn State policy and Pennsylvania law define hazing as “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly” endangering the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiating or affiliating with an organization.

The chapter’s international organization “has been working closely with university staff throughout the process and is aware of this outcome,” according to Penn State.

While suspended, the chapter loses recognition as a sanctioned student organization and cannot participate in, attend or organize any activities or events.

Phi Kappa Sigma is the second Penn State fraternity chapter to be suspended for hazing in less than a month. The university suspended the Delta Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. for four years on Oct. 3.

Eight fraternities at Penn State are currently suspended by the university or their national organizations, according to the school’s most recent Greek Chapter Scorecard.